Selling the Sun: Elevate Energy Course to Help Real Estate Pros Value Solar is Now LIVE!

It took 40 years to reach the milestone of 1 million solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the United States, but the Solar Energy Industries Association predicts that it will only take two more years to reach one million more.

Some states have more installations than others, but growth is happening nationally, including places not typically considered sunshine states, like Massachusetts and New Jersey. But for most real estate agents and appraisers, assessing the value of solar is a new frontier.

In an effort to close the knowledge gap, Elevate Energy received an award from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative to lead the development of an online training program that will teach real estate professionals, appraisers, and appraiser regulators how to value residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. We’re excited to announce that the “Selling the Sun: Establishing Value for Solar Homes” course is now live and available for real estate professionals to take online!

Real estate professionals that understand the basics of solar and know how to discuss the benefits of an installation will have a market edge. This course will help real estate agents communicate the value of solar installations to homeowners and lenders. It will also inform real estate agents about what questions to ask, how PV solar installations affect the sale of a home, and how to identify installations on a multiple listing service.

“It’s a critical step in the evolution of clean energy,” said Elevate Energy CEO Anne Evens. “For residential solar power to flourish, property owners need to have confidence that their investments will be recognized in the market.”

Once PV solar installations are consistently and accurately valued and investment increases, so too will growth of clean energy nationwide—and that’s what we’re most excited about.